Pakistan\u2019s captain Babar Azam<\/strong> scored his ninth Test century and remained not out on 161 at the end of the first day\u2019s play in the series opener against New Zealand, helping the host team reach 317\/5.<\/p>\n Sarfaraz Ahmed<\/strong>, making his 50th Test appearance and first at home, contributed 86 runs off 153 balls. Ahmed and Babar shared a 196-run partnership for the fifth wicket, which lasted 56.3 overs and put Pakistan in a strong position.<\/p>\n Despite using three spinners, New Zealand was unable to effectively control the run flow, with economy rates ranging from 3.4 to 4.9. Sarfaraz was dismissed in the 86th over, caught by Patel at first slip, ending the partnership with Babar.<\/p>\n Babar narrowly avoided being given out lbw off Patel\u2019s bowling late in the day, but successfully challenged the decision and remained not out on 161 at stumps, with Agha Salman<\/strong> on three not out.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s how Twitter reacted:<\/strong><\/p>\n